Christmas Parade Lights Up Harrison

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Staff Writer

HARRISON – Weather affects all manner of outdoors events, and the Lighted Christmas Parade has seen Mother Nature has offered up a variety of conditions over the years. Last Saturday’s parade took place on an evening filled with bitter temperatures and chilling winds. Yet, those committed parade participants who saw it through brought with them sirens, blazing lights, music, good humor and light-hearted antics.

Near the front of the parade, viewers were treated to a view of local law enforcement in action, as the sheriff pursued the Grinch who was dragging his stolen Christmas tree. Quickly apprehended, he was place into the patrol car, with the tree left in the street ahead of the patrol car. However, in short order the Grinch escaped the car, ran to the front and retrieved his “hot” tree and was once again on the lam down the parade route – with siren whooping behind him.

This year’s parade judges, Tim and Janine Simmon of High Pressure Pneumatics,  were tasked with choosing which entry was Best Decorated and sported the Most Lights. Winners this year were CTE for Best Decorated, and Central Concrete of Mount Pleasant for Most Lights.

The evening’s community meal offered by Longer Table at The Venue on Main saw many more people partaking before the parade this year, rather than later. After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus were delivered to The Venue on Main via horse-drawn carriage, where they entered a glittering, garlanded room filled with prizes, a reindeer magic food station, two huge gift-filled stockings, and a near-thronelike seating/backdropped area where the honored guests would greet eager children. Those features were created and manned by members of the Harrison Area Chamber of Commerce. The line of parent-accompanied children who sought audience with the iconic couple once again extended out the doors and onto the sidewalk. From the tiniest to the teen, wishes and requests were spoken, and afterwards each child received a candy cane along with their choice of a holiday stuffed toy.

The Harrison Community Fire Department and the Chamber once again created a special evening for any residents who cared to enjoy the community’s holiday festivities. Found here are some photos of the evening, including those children who voiced their heart’s desires to Santa. Would that everyone could remember that magic of childhood belief.

The Cleaver wishes a safe, warm and happy holiday season for all.